Cigar Photography

smoke in focus …

Posts Tagged Tobacco Grove

Viaje Platino Reserva DT

Jun 7

Posted by admin in Viaje Platino Reserva DT | 8 Comments 

- click on photographs -

This week we are taking a look at Viaje Platino Reserva Double Torpedo, or for those who prefer acronyms, VPR DT. This is one of the latest ‘macro’ releases from Andre Farkas of Viaje and a follow-up to 2010 Viaje Platino Reserva #6. Viaje Platino Reserva DT 5packs were available as pre-release via Tobacco Grove in limited quantity. As expected after the announcement, Viaje followers brought Tobacco Grove’s website to its knees and were unable to place online orders. I was fortunate enough to lay my hands on a nutritious 10pack. Without further ado, I present to you – A Tripple Band Monster :)


Considering my artistic skills, I would like to call out Andre’s design team and point out the chaotic band look that was created around the cigar. Although I can appreciate color wheel contrast, from purpose and color perspective, this cigar would have looked a lot classier with one of the LE bands. See photograph #7 and draw your own conclusion. Moving on to the actual cigar. Pre-light inspection: well applied wrapper, blended seams, one noticeable vein, double torpedo (* both ends closed), overall visual appearance / construction – flawless. I cut both ends with my trusty Palio cutter. In burning department, fairly tight ash falling off in 3/4″ inch dark-grey chunks. Slightly wavy burn line which corrected itself multiple times throughout the experience. As for as flavors, if I was to label this cigar with one identifier, I would say – SPICE throughout the entire cigar. Second would be woodiness with hints of chocolate and nuttiness. Definitely some bitterness in all three parts.


Overall, good cigar but in my humble opinion, not box worthy, especially considering the price tag. I will let the rest of the pack rest for few more months to see if the cigar will mature, drop the bitterness and balance a bit more.


Country of Origin: Honduras
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 5.75″
Ring: 52

Construction > Great
Burn > Good
Enjoy > Average
Recommend > Yes
Buy > 5-pack


Please consider the following post:
* Viaje Exclusivo Shorts

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tatuaje Black Petite Lancero

May 10

Posted by admin in Tatuaje Black Petite Lancero | 16 Comments 

- click on photographs -

This week we are jumping back on the Tatuaje bandwagon and smoking one of my favorite vitolas – lancero. What sets this cigar apart is unconventional 6″ format, hence Tatuaje Black Petite Lancero name. This project is a collaboration between Pete Johnson of Tatuaje and Tobacco Grove B&M shop in Minnesota. Many Pete’s projects with B&M shops turned into Limited Editions so once they are sold out, they are gone forever (example: Anarchy, Federal Cigar 90th Anniversary). Tatuaje Black Petite Lancero, which I obtained couple months ago, was a pre-release with fancy pigtail and closed foot. Fortunately, as per Pete, this cigar will become a regular production line (* no pigtail / no closed foot) landing in the shop near you around July2011.


From Pete Johnson: “Production on these cigars continued immediately after the first batch. We only changed the finish. Meaning the foot was cut normal and the cap is a traditional triple cap. No pigtail. The big difference is the newer ones are packed in foil paper and the box is different. The tobacco and blend is the same.”


Black Label / Lancero combination had enormous impact on availability and sale of this product. I was fortunate to secure a total of 15 sticks from two fellow BOTL. I have smoked through 6 of them and each one provided an unforgettable experience. Starting with flawless wrapper, excellent construction and good burn. Not easy to achieve with lancero, especially the burn & draw. If you can appreciate cigar flavor complexity, you don’t have to look any further. Tatuaje Black Petite Lancero will provide you exactly that, and some. Appropriate amount of spice without tasting like a spice-bomb, chocolate, cocoa, a touch of cinnamon and hint of floral notes are some of the characteristics of this cigars. If you are from North East and are familiar with NYC roasted nuts’ smell and taste, get ready for nut-fest. In construction department, one should expect light gray / almost white ash and close to perfect burn. Out of six samples only one had a minor hiccup where I had to re-light few times but considering the lancero format, personally, this is a nonissue.


If I was to rate this cigar with a numerical value, we are looking at 95+ home-run. I’m definitely picking up a cabinet when regular production becomes available. Good job, Pete !


Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua Sun Grown Criollo
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 6″
Ring: 38


Construction > Great
Burn > Good
Enjoy > Absolutely !
Recommend > Absolutely !
Buy > Box Worthy !

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tatuaje ‘Anarchy’

Feb 22

Posted by admin in Tatuaje 'Anarchy' | 10 Comments 

- click on photographs -

Yet another Tatuaje cigar. If I was to describe Tatuaje ‘Anarchy’ smoking experience in one word, I would call it – chocolate. Throughout first two thirds if felt like I was eating a dark chocolate bar. I have yet to smoke a cigar which had such pronounced flavor. To keep up the excitement level, I have continued to rinse my palate with plain water only to be smacked with the dark chocolate again, and again. Other flavors that I have noticed throughout the cigar were: wood, espresso, leather, mild spice, and coffee. One should also appreciate the pigtail cap and Salomon / baseball bat look alike vitola shape. To view and read up more about intricacies of Tatuaje ‘Anarchy’, I recommend visiting the following fellow bloggers: stogiereview, acigarsmoker, toastedfoot.


As for as the ‘Anarchy’ project itself, Abe ‘Ming’ Dababneh (Smoke Inn) took it to another marketing level. There are tons of good quality cigars out on the market but some fail to shine due to lack of creative marketing campaigns. There was an abundance of innovation in collaboration between Abe ‘Ming’ Dababneh and Tatuaje’s Pete Johnson. We have now seen a numerous B&M anniversary releases. Some are very successful, some are less but overall, I have been very pleased with the final product hitting the market.


Cigarphoto.net’s mission statement is to continue to share artistic perspective of cigar smoking. Projects like Dirty Rats or Flying Pigs can be taken to the ‘dirty’ extreme with some unique outcomes and representation. Stay tuned for that ! Cigarphoto.net will also attempt to keep up with the ‘hottest’ sellers & releases and continue to make photographs and create pleasing to the eye art. I have both Tatuaje Federal 90th Anniversary 109 and Tatuaje Black Label Petite Lancero resting in the humidor and screaming for photo session. Stay tuned !


Specs:
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 6
Ring: 54


Construction > Great
Burn > Great
Enjoy > Yes
Recommend > Yes
Buy > Yes

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,